Diocesan President Mrs Cheryl Bainton

This Diocese of 52,426 sq. km. is bounded in the North by the Murray River, and extends westward into the Capital City of Adelaide, and to the southeast corner of the State and the Southern Ocean.

Industries include sheep and cattle husbandry; extensive vineyards; fruit growing; timber; and fishing.

This Diocese was separated from the Adelaide Diocese in 1970 and has a strong MU involvement. There are currently 14 branches and 260 members scattered over this vast area. Members have to travel long distances to attend meetings, sometimes in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees centigrade. The Away-from-it-All holiday programme is used to assist needy families to go on holidays. A yearly Diocesan Stop-over is held in a bush camp setting, a time for learning, sharing, and worship.

With an 80% rural content, the Diocese is faced with the social and family challenges produced by ongoing economic changes. The other 20% of the Diocese faces similar challenges created by the rapidly expanding suburban sprawl where many light industries are found.

MU gives practical assistance to families

Everything we do is supported by prayer.

Judy Price
Immediate Past Diocesan President

From THE MURRAY con-TRIBUTARY Newsletter, December 2011
from Cheryl Bainton, DP

As our year draws to a close, I give thanks for the good times we have enjoyed together in MU.

The "Gathering at Goolwa" was a very positive time for us; thank you to all involved and the Judevangel members who were such good hostesses.

We could have spent a lot more time listening to Maureen Moores as she shared from her heart with us about her School Pastoral Support work. As Maureen spoke about the Primary School scene, I really though she could have been describing a High School by the situations that arise. Are School Pastoral Support Workers really necessary? Mauren says to just spend a day with her to see how really necessary this work is. Alcohol, Facebook, and mobile phone texting are some of the problem areas that can be such a trap for young children. Grief issues are very high on the list of children's problems., also body image, depression, gossip, and peer pressure as well as bullying by students. Sometimes a student is sent in to Maureen just for some "Nanna time" when some re-assuring comfort is needed from a caring and trusted adult. When you hear a school bell in your community, see it as a call to prayer for the students, teachers, and Pastoral Support workers in your area.

Our final Council Meeting was held at Victor Harbor on November 14^th and the occasion was really lifted with the presence of our special guest Elizabeth Harris, our Mia Mia Editor. Elizabeth shared her MU journey with us and now, although Elizabeth "wears quite a few hats", her enthusiasm is very infections and uplifting

Theme for 2012 is set to fit in with the Australian Council theme of MU's gifts: discover and celebrate.

We had a chance to share some of the good things we love about MU at the Council meeting.
Eileen Smith will be contacting branches soon with more information and resources about our theme.

updated 31/12/2011